Mulberry grain swelling w/ Mahoney Oil?

[BHuij]

I picked up some scrap pieces of mulberry yesterday and decided to try my hand at a small bowl (about 4" diameter and roughly the same depth).

I sanded up through 400 grit and burnished with shavings, and it felt really nice. Then I applied my normal liberal coat of Mahoney oil, let it sit for an hour, and thoroughly wiped off the excess before leaving it overnight.

When I checked on it this morning, the smooth surface was not so smooth anymore. Clearly there were bumps and texture introduced on the grain lines.

Did I just use too much oil?

What is the best course of action from here?

 

[leehljp]

Any idea as to how old the mulberry wood could have been? it sounds much like the mulberry wood still "green" and not fully aged. I know that wet or green wood (and in areas of high humidity) will do what you mentioned, but I have not heard of that with "oil", but I am not experienced with mahogany oil. I have done several bowls with mulberry wood - that was from and in Japan. Mulberry was the tree that the silkworms' silk was harvested from. None of my bowls did what you mentioned above.

BTW, mulberry, over time can or will turn almost walnut brown if left in the sun. The greener it is the faster it will turn. If you have a fresh piece, lay it out in the sun for 4 or 5 days and see if it turns brown. If it barely turns brown, then it has been sufficiently air dried.

I do not know if this will answer your question fully or even partially.